Granddog

Not sure how else to identify

this beautiful guy

David.

He is the beloved dog of Hannah and Tom.

They brought him up to meet me

this past weekend.

Ben was also here a couple days ahead of them

and we had some great long chats and as always

he looks around to see what he can help me with.

Such a wonderful son.

We were all a bit concerned if Howie 

could handle an intruder but he was a champion.

David hardly ever makes a sound but the one 

time he play growled to play, 

Howie leapt onto my lap then up 

over the shoulder and tried clinging to

the top of my head.

I have the nail punctures in my scalp to prove it.

He was searching for the highest point of escape

in the room. It was funny and sad at the same time.

They never played but slept pretty close

 together for 3 days without incident.

David is the mellowest dog I have ever met,

and of course he is adored by his folks.

I love having my family all home 

and it is sad to see them leave,

 but we try to get together often and

 Ben has new plan for me to make it easier.

The rest of the world is sad and horrifying and 

basically a cluster/you know what.

sigh

dog love

mama love for her kids

It's all I can focus on right now.

Oh I hear I'm in Flea Market Decor

coming out in July.

I'll let you know when if you wish to take a peek.

HIBERNATION TIME

the 100's are here.

Keep writing me folks.

I love it.

Z

Tomatoes and a Pooped Sunflower

Well that title should have gotten your attention

I am beaming with pride

Look what I made!

Tonight is caprese with my own

 home grown tomatoes, and basil.

So I'm out watering this morning and I see

a bit of green in one of the fountains and assuming it 

blew in there with all this horrible wind,

I bend over to pluck it out,

but it doesn't give?

So I pull a little harder and move a rock and the dang

thing has roots and is growing in there!

So a bird flew over the front gate after

 gorging at the feeder,

(I'm a good bird mama)

then it stopped in for a drink, AND 

pooped out a sunflower seed.

Ya just gotta be constantly amazed

and awed by nature.

Wherever you find it.

I was recently treated to lunch on 

two back to back days by two gal pals-

 what fun! Great food and lots of chat.

I do not go out often these days,

staying on budget if I can,

so it really was very special to me.

If I could retell the vast array

 of topics we covered you would not believe it.

Well maybe you would, as you probably have the 

same conversations with your lunch pals.

It's turned hot here finally.

Time for me to hibernate.

Z

Bee Bubble Butt

This photo is from Twisted Sifter's Shirk Report

unfortunately no credit was available.

I've told you before how much I love this site,

and I loved this photo.

I feel this bee and I are kindred spirits.

Covered in life's goodness, we have

food to eat, shelter in our hives, a community of 

other bees to support us.

but 

 we travel with an enormous bubble butt.

Blessed Are My Days

From the time I was very small I knew I wanted to be a mother.

Life happened and I ended up having Benjamin and Hannah later than

I thought I would. I was 33 with Benjamin and 38 with Hannah.

Our family made many sacrifices in order for me 

to stay home full time with my children.

Each child had 5 years of all day alone with Mom time.

I cherish every single one of those days.

My son and daughter are happy, strong, kind, productive adults,

who have never given us a moment of trouble.

Oh I've worried some, but found

 they always make the right choices.

Every visit, every phone call or text ends 

with I love you Mama

I love you Mom

and then

from me

I love you more

Blessed are my days.

QUAIL

A fun visitor at the restaurant this morning.

That is what it has become, a bird diner.

I try to linger for awhile after

 I fill up the feeders and scatter seed

so they get used to me.

This guy got very close, no problem.

A robin came by after bathing in my backyard fountain

 and proceeded to fluff, primp and dry off. 

I got a video on my phone

but I'm having trouble getting it to transfer.

I'll put on IG when I figure it out.

Those who have followed awhile

 know I go crazy when I see a robin.

Robins scream home (PA) to me.

I want to believe this is the same guy or an offspring

that has visited me off and on over the years.

The longest living banded robin 

survived almost 14 years

so it is possible. 

Speaking of quail 

The insane dude is channeling QUAYLE

"We shouldn't have to be

burdened with all the technicalities

 that come up from time to time 

with shrewd, smart lawyers interpreting

 what the laws or what the constitution

 may or may not say."

Dan Quayle

Need a laugh among the madness? 

https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/d/dan_quayle.html

RESIST

Something that strips 

healthcare coverage from millions to

 fund tax breaks for millionaires takes lives,

and is no cause for celebration.

Blood on their hands.

RESIST

Night Visitors

Two heads peeking out.

Every Night I am entertained

 by watching this group of geckos

hunt insects beneath my porch light.

I always hang a wooden sign or floral for them

to hide behind. This year I have counted four

at one time but there may be more under the foliage

or on the other side.

It is hard to get a shot through the blinds

- the slightest movement and they hide.

There is never a bug to be seen 

near the light. They are great hunters.

I know they retreat to a space inside my garage wall

which should bother me, 

but I never see them in the garage at all.

Once, years ago, a baby gecko was trapped 

right inside the garage door opening.

Fearing he would be crushed,

we tried scooting him outside 

with a small branch. He/she reared up on it's hind legs

and screamed. The kids and I freaked and 

no one has ever believed us that he made noise.

Tonight while trying to identify what type of gecko I have

( I couldn't) I did come across a quote

about a mediterranean house

gecko commonly found here, that said they do indeed 

squeal or bark when threatened.

I knew it!